HPAC On The Air

Farewell Johnny Tundra, Hello Big Picture, with Rob McManamy

This month's editorial essay bids farewell to beloved commissioning engineer, Ron Wilkinson, creator of The Adventures of Johnny Tundra: Cold-Weather Engineer, and perhaps the only film critic who ever focused exclusively on the proper use of HVAC systems in popular movies? (Were the ducts that Bruce Willis was crawling through in Die Hard properly sized?)

But Ron's passing last month, and the glowing tributes to him that have poured in, also gives us opportunity to remember the truly meaningful impact that engineers in this industry can have on each other, as well as the public at large. At the end of the day, the reason most readers got into this industry was to contribute something larger to society.

For more, click to listen... 

The Winding Road Ahead, with Rob McManamy

As we enter 2026 and prepare for our industry's biggest annual tradeshow, AHR Expo, which coincides next month with ASHRAE's Winter Conference in Las Vegas, there is palpable anxiety in the air on multiple fronts.

The daily assault of dizzying headlines and unprecedented news has left many of us unsettled and uncertain about the road ahead. But for our industry at least, there is still considerable optimism for 2026. Here, HPAC Editor Rob McManamy reviews some of the latest industry developments to offer another quick take on where the economy seems to be headed this month...  

Hope Is in The Air, with Dr. Stephanie Taylor, M.D.

Expanding on her current HPAC cover story, the renowned IAQ expert, architect, and medical doctor tells us why this post-pandemic moment offers "a golden opportunity" for improving both the health of our buildings and their occupants.

Breathing Easier, with Rob McManamy

As the year draws to a close, HPAC's editor takes stock of the progress, promise, and "golden" opportunity now fueling the potential for generational change in indoor environmental quality. 

Promoting Indoor Environmental Quality, with ASHRAE's Bill McQuade

Energy efficiency and decarbonization have dominated the HVACR stage in recent years, but ASHRAE's 2025-26 president is determined to turn the spotlight on IEQ before building owners forget the lessons of the pandemic.

Navigating a Data Desert, with Rob McManamy

With the government shutdown now in its second month, industry economists find themselves in an unusually precarious situation. This fall, forecasters are trying to make predictions for 2026 without the benefit of their usual monthly supply of essential government statistics. Imagine trying to read a crystal ball while wearing a blindfold. Here, Rob McManamy discusses the predicament.

Plumbing Engineers Growing Together, with ASPE's Bryan Hutton

HPAC On The Air welcomes back the president of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers to give us a halftime report on his two-year term in office. Much is happening regarding codes and infrastructure repairs, he says, but the key to it all will be project team-building and multi-discipline collaboration.

Preventing Conflicts, Preserving Relationships, with Rob McManamy

This month's editorial focuses on a new push among some of the best construction lawyers to help engineers, contractors and owners to prevent project disputes BEFORE they actually happen. After that, the cost to the bottom line and to relationships is almost always just too high. Listen up for more details about to become a part of the 'dispute prevention' movement...  

Legionella and Beyond, with Engineer Microbiologist Dr. Abraham Cullom

Recent outbreaks in New York City, Ohio, and Iowa remind us that water-borne pathogens in water systems are still out there. And water conservation efforts today even require heightened scrutiny. Listen to these insights and more from Dr. Abe Cullom, Director of Water Safety and Management at the Special Pathogens Laboratory in Pittsburgh.

10 Forecasts for 2026, with Rob McManamy

We dive into the latest update to the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast and see what 10 industry experts are now predicting for next year. Not surprisingly, many expectations hinge on the durability of the market's capacity for more and more data centers...